Building
your Future
in
Spaceflight

WATCH THE FLIGHT TEST LIVE

WATCH THE LAUNCH IN PERSON

UP NEXT: CREW FLIGHT TEST

Boeing’s Starliner is about to make its first voyage with astronauts to and from the International Space Station. This critical step for the program is meant to demonstrate Starliner’s launch-to-landing capabilities. The test flight will prove the team’s readiness to achieve NASA certification and fly long-duration missions for the agency.

real-time mission updates

Phase 01

Pre-Launch

Starliner’s launch campaign starts 45 days before liftoff when United Launch Alliance begins stacking an Atlas V at Space Launch Complex 41. Two weeks later, Starliner is mated on top, completing the integrated Atlas V Starliner vehicle. Teams then focus on finalizing launch preparations, rehearsing launch procedures and triple-checking systems. On launch day, ground teams stow cargo and, if it is a crewed launch, the astronauts head to the pad about three hours before liftoff.

Phase 02

Launch

In the final minutes before liftoff, the launch director polls the team before declaring the launch a "go." The Crew Access Arm on the launch pad retracts, the launch abort system is activated, then ignition! Starliner, atop its Atlas V, heads for orbit. About 15 minutes after launch, Atlas' Centaur upper stage shuts down, sending Starliner on its way to the International Space Station.

Phase 03

Docking

Rendezvous and docking are among the most difficult spaceflight challenges, and Starliner does both completely autonomously. Rendezvous procedures start dozens of kilometers away, when Starliner's cameras spot the space station as a bright point of light in front of a sea of stars. Then, an intricate orbital ballet begins as Starliner drifts closer and closer to station. Hundreds of finely tuned thruster firings then guide Starliner in to dock.

Phase 04

Undocking

When it's time to come home, Starliner is packed, powered up and prepared for departure. Then, the docking mechanism disengages, letting Starliner slowly drift away from the space station. After a flyaround inspection, Starliner conducts a series of burns to take it safely away and position it for deorbit.

Phase 05

Landing

Coming back to Earth can be even more difficult than getting to space. Reentry and landing is a crucible of high speeds, temperatures, aerodynamic stresses and G-forces. Starliner is built not just to weather those conditions, but to conquer them. As the landing sequence progresses, heat shields jettison, parachutes deploy and airbags inflate, eventually ending in a first for an American orbital capsule: a safe landing on solid ground. Starliner made history in December 2019 by being the first American orbital capsule to safely land on land.

The
Crew

NASA astronauts and experienced Navy aviators Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams are preparing to launch to the International Space Station as part of Starliner’s Crew Flight Test.

Meet the Crew

The
Destinations

Commercial transportation to and from the International Space Station and other destinations increases opportunities for discovery on orbit. As NASA’s prime contractor for the ISS, Boeing supports astronauts onboard as they conduct scientific experiments and technology research. Their work benefits life on Earth and advances deep space exploration.

Explore the ISS

EXPLORE ORBITAL REEF

Watch
the Starliner
livestream

Wherever you are on Earth, let the wonder of space exploration excite and inspire you. Join us online as Starliner launches from Florida, docks to the International Space Station and lands in the western U.S.

Livestream Coming Soon

Map of the site locations for viewing the launch in person.

Watch
the Launch
in Person

Come watch the next Starliner launch from one of several viewing locations on Florida’s Space Coast.

Click the + icons to learn more about the location.

Watch
the Launch
in Person

Come watch the next Starliner launch from one of several viewing locations on Florida’s Space Coast.

Swipe left or right to learn more about the location.

Playalinda Beach

The closest beach view you can find north of Kennedy Space Center, Playalinda Beach offers spectacular sights of liftoff looking straight down the Florida coast.

Sand Point, Parrish and Space View Parks, Max Brewer Bridge

A trio of parks in Titusville where Max Brewer Bridge meets the mainland feature launch views with the Indian River in the foreground.

Space Launch Complex 41

Manzo, Rotary Riverfront and Kennedy Point Parks

Running up the bank of the Indian River between the water and US 1 in Titusville, you'll find three parks almost directly west of Starliner's launch pad.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The KSCVC is the Space Coast's premier tourist destination for space enthusiasts of all ages. Spend the day at the museum and watch from the museum grounds, or buy a ticket for a bus ride to a closer viewing destination inside the Kennedy Space Center gates. More information can be found on the KSCVC website.

Kings Park

Kings Park is one of the closest public viewing options you can find without buying a ticket to watch on-center. You'll find it on Merritt Island south of the Kennedy Space Center gates.

Port Canaveral

If you'd rather wait for liftoff in a restaurant than a park, Port Canaveral is full of both tourist and local favorites. You can also buy a ticket to watch the launch from the 7th floor of Exploration Tower located there as well.

Kelly Park and 528 Causeway

Cars will normally fill the sides of the 528 Causeway on launch day, from Kelly Park on the west bank of the Banana River all the way across to the cape. Launch viewers here have a clear view straight over the water to the launch pad.

Cape Canaveral Parks

Cape Canaveral's Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park are right by the gates of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and are popular spots for any launch.

Beaches and Cocoa Beach Pier

Locals and visitors alike pack the beaches all the way from Cape Canaveral to downtown Cocoa Beach. The Cocoa Beach Pier also offers a fantastic view of rockets ascending to orbit over the ocean.

Cocoa Beach Parks

If you're further south in Cocoa Beach for a launch, there are a few parks to choose from for good launch views. The most popular three are Alan Shepard Park, Lori Wilson Park and Sidney Fischer Park.

RESOURCES
AND
ACTIVITIES

Virtual Experiences

Can’t make it to the launch in person? We’ve got you covered with these virtual experiences.

STEM Activities

Get inspired! Create these STEM-related space projects.

Digital Downloads

Download these digital activities and post them to your social media accounts using #Starliner.

Media Resources

Everything you need to tell the Starliner story and stay in-the-know throughout the mission.

Educator Resources

Ignite your students’ senses of exploration and discovery with these hands-on experiences.

#Starliner

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